Living Independently

Updated on January 18, 2016

Isn't that the truth? | Source

Living an Independent Life

Living an independent life means living a life on your own terms. It means you live as and where you want. You make your own decisions, you pay your own bill. It also means you don't have to answer to anyone you don't want to answer to.

An independent person has their own view of things. They listen to the music they like, not just because it's popular. The watch the movies they like, and they read the books they like.

Steps to Becoming Independent

Plan your day, week, year, life around you. Make up a list of what you want to do, what you want to accomplish.

Take the good with the bad, accept the world as it is.

Having your own style taste in fashion, music, movies, ideas.

Pay your own bills. Don't spend money you don't have. If there is something you want that you can't afford, save for it.

Try going to a restaurant and eating alone. Or, go shopping by yourself.

Get rid of bad influences

Live alone, if you are able to financially.

Find a job all on your own. If it doesn't pay enough to pay your bills, find a second job.

Don’t gossip or talk about others.

Take the good with the bad, accept the world as it is.

Make your own mistakes and learn from them.

Being Independent | Source

Independent Quotes

Happiness is not determined by what's happening around you, but rather what’s happening inside you. Most people depend on others to gain happiness, but the truth is, it always comes from within. - Unknown

Learn to live without expecting people to always have to be there for you, sometimes all you need is you, just have to believe in yourself. - Blaze Olamiday

If you plant your own seeds in your garden you won't have to see what someone else is growing, because you will be to busy showing love to your own. - Tyrone Porter

Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different. - Stacey Charter

Avoid the crowd. Do your own thinking independently. Be the chess player, not the chess piece. - Ralph Charell

You have all the answers inside you. The more you trust yourself, the easier your life will flow. - Anonymous

But while I breathe Heaven's air, and Heaven looks down on me, And smiles at my best meanings, I remain Mistress of mine own self and mine own soul. - Lord Alfred Tennyson

The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before. - Albert Einstein

There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” - Jane Austen

The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” - Michel de Montaigne

Believe in yourself, and trust your own wisdom rather than being swayed by the opinions of others. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm ... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others. - Audrey Hepburn

Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man's life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the development of his self. - B. R. Ambedkar

You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence. - Abraham Lincoln

Your child will be better prepared to tackle the bumps on the road of life if he has been given the gift of guided independence. - Jacquie McTaggart

Those who really desire to attain an independence, have only set their minds upon it, and adopt the proper means, as they do in regard to any other object which they wish to accomplish, and the thing is easily done. - P.T. Barnum

Independence - is loyalty to one's best self and principles, and this is often disloyalty to the general idols and fetishes. - Mark Twain

I don't think of myself as a poor, deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as somebody who from an early age knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good. - Oprah Winfrey

I will not be "famous," "great." I will go on adventuring, changing, opening my mind and my eyes, refusing to be stamped and stereotyped. The thing is to free one's self: to let it find its dimensions, not be impeded. - Virginia Woolf

I have an independent streak. You know, its kind of hard to tell an independent woman what to do. - Betty Ford

A real woman makes her own decisions in life. She’s responsible, and doesn't follow but she leads. She’s always about accomplishing goals, and she never settles for anything less because she’s a woman, and nothing more. - Bryan Burden

The independent girl is truly of quite modern origin, and usually is a most bewitching little piece of humanity. - Lou Henry Hoover

Independent people look at what's worked, learn from what hasn't, set new priorities, and then move on. - Jeanne Sharbuno

Be that strong girl that everyone knew would make it through the worst, be that fearless girl, the one who would dare to do anything, be that independent girl who didn't need a man; be that girl who never backed down. - Taylor Swift

To find yourself, think for yourself. - Socrates

The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself. - Michel de Montaigne

I have not lived as a woman. I have lived as a man. I've just done what I damn well wanted to, and I've made enough money to support myself, and ain't afraid of being alone. - Katharine Hepburn

Independent Behavior | Source

Characteristics of an Independent Person

Confidence

An independent person can look at something new and say to themselves, "I can do this".

Problem Solver

They can look at a problem and begin work solving it.

Personable

They will be able to gain the confidence of strangers in a short time.

Assertive

They will stand their ground concerning their beliefs.

Realistic

They need to be realist to be able to think for themselves.

How to help your children be financially independent...Most people in my position are living paycheck by paycheck. But when I think about it, people who make much more than I do are living the same way. I have never had debt, I've bought most everything on my own since I left home, and I have been able t

The History of the Independent Living MovementThe independent living movement will affect more people than any other civil rights initiative in history. However, it's only because of all those other folks working for respect and freedom that people with disabilities have a chance at it.

How To Become A Stronger And More Independent Woman,...How To Become A Stronger And More Independent Woman, 10 Tips To Think About- being independent does not mean only financial independence, but emotional and physical independence as well. It's about making decisions and implementing them in all areas

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Comments 22 comments

Great hub about independence! Too often we see people trying to live through the rules set by others so they will do whatever they can to please them and it's a pity. And I think that Patti German is totaly right when she says that independence is a state of mind.

I love all your quotes about indenpendence!

CozyPozy 3 years ago from USA

I like the Jane Austen quote, I guess because I feel exactly like that. Thanks for a wise & encouraging article.

always exploring 3 years ago from Southern Illinois

This is a great hub! I am perfectly happy living alone, that has not always been true, but as you age, at least for me, i've matured enough to accept who i am. You have some priceless tips. Thank you for sharing...

kashmir56 3 years ago from Massachusetts

Great useful advice and information to help anyone to live an independent life . Well done and written !

Vote up and more !!!

pstraubie48 3 years ago from sunny Florida

Accept the good with the bad.....AMEN...accept and move on....I live an independent life...I never remarried for the list of reasons you cited at the beginning of your article. I love people and like to go out but I like coming home and be accountable only to me. I guess that sounds selfish but for me it makes me less selfish and more generous because I have more of me and my time to share.

Thanks for sharing this.. Voted up and shared :) ps

hawaiianodysseus 3 years ago from Southeast Washington state

I am married to an independent woman...in the old days, when we were first married, I didn't like that she was so independent. Now that I am older and wiser, I'm really loving her and the fact that she is so independent. Just thought I'd offer up my two cents' worth to give a perspective from the other side.

Thank you!

Joe

old albion 3 years ago from Lancashire. England.

Hi KKG. An inspiring hub, first class all round. Might I recommend that you Google; 'The guy in the glass' sometimes known as 'The man in the glass' I am certain that you will find it of interest.

Voted up and all.

Graham.

aviannovice 3 years ago from Stillwater, OK

Independence is one of the most notable things that there is. When you own yourself, there are no limits to what you can accomplish.

drbj 3 years ago from south Florida

Great suggestions for becoming more independent, KKGals, and fascinating quotes as well. Particularly like Katharine Hepburn's statements. She knew what she was talking about.

DDE 3 years ago from Dubrovnik, Croatia

An independent life is the best children should learn about independence once they fully understand the real meaning of life.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

kidscrafts, I think it's important to live your life as you se fit. You'll never be happy living the way someone else wants you to.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

CozyPozy, Jane Austen was ahead of her time. She was quite a woman.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

always exploring, I think that you don't need to have a partner to be whole. It's nice if you do but to don't have to.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

kashmir56, to tell the truth I believe that most writers already live an independent life.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

pstraubie, living an independent live is one of those things some of us are compelled to do. There's something to be said for answering to only yourself.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

Joe, my husband has come to the same understanding you have. I can remember him telling my brother years ago "I know how to keep Sue happy. I just let her do what she wants."

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

Graham, I will definitely google it. Thanks.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

aviannovice, how true. When you are busy living a life someone else wants you to live you will never be able to reach the great heights you were meant to.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

drbj, I think Katharine Hepburn had the right idea. I brought my three girls up with the knowledge that they needed to be able to take care of themselves and not depend on others to do it for them.

KoffeeKlatch Gals 3 years ago from Sunny Florida Author

DDE, I agree, it is important to teach children to be independent.

Dolores Monet 17 months ago from East Coast, United States

Love the words of Audrey Hepburn stressing the importance of being able to help others. If you can't take care of yourself, you will not be available to help others. This concept of generosity depends on an inner strength. Lovely hub!

KoffeeKlatch Gals 17 months ago from Sunny Florida Author

@Delores Monet you need an inner strength to be able to be truly independent. Thank you for reading.